Indonesia Runs Aground, Here's A List Of 16 Teams In The 2026 U-23 Asian Cup

The U-23 Indonesian national team failed to reach the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup finals (doc. Indonesian national team).

JAKARTA - The last phase of the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Qualification was completed simultaneously on September 9, 2025. A total of 16 countries qualified for the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup, excluding the U-23 Indonesian national team.

In the final match of Group J, the U-23 Indonesian national team faced South Korea U-23. However, the results were not satisfactory, the Garuda Muda squad lost 0-1 at the Gelora Bung Tomo Stadium, Tuesday, September 9, 2025, night WIB.

The defeat made Indonesia U-23 only occupy second place in the standings with four points. The best runners-up line is also unfriendly to Gerald Vanenburg's troops.

Garuda Muda was even thrown into 10th place in the best runner-up standings, where only the top four were entitled to a ticket to the 2026 U-23 Asian Cup finals.

The 2026 U-23 Asian Cup qualification will be held simultaneously from 3 to 9 September 2025. Apart from Saudi Arabia being the host, there are 15 countries that will ensure tickets to the U-23 Asian Cup next year through qualifications.

In detail, there are 11 countries that are group winners in the qualifying phase, while the other four are through the best runners-up route.

Jordan, Japan, Vietnam, Australia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Iraq, Qatar, Iran, South Korea, and Syria are winners of Group A to K.

While China is at the top of the best group runners-up standings, followed by Uzbekistan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.

For Kyrgyzstan and Lebanon, both set records because for the first time they were able to break into the U-23 Asian Cup.

Indonesia U-23, which qualified for the U-23 Asian Cup for the first time in 2024 and was able to advance to the semifinals, this time it must accept the harsh reality of not being able to join this edition.

The 2026 U-23 Asian Cup will take place on 7-25 January 2025 in Saudi Arabia.

List 16 Of 2026 U-23 Asian Cup Teams